What is Binge Eating Disorder?

Everyone finds themselves occasionally binge eating when they aren’t really hungry, and may overeat on festive occasions, too.  However, if you find yourself doing this regularly to the point where you are unable to stop, even if you feel extremely full, you may want to pay attention. 

Like most eating disorders, Binge Eating Disorder or BED is not only a food-related issue but a recognised mental health disorder. In fact, BED is one of the newest eating disorders formally recognised in the DSM-5 and the ICD 10. People typically develop BED to deal with a deeper issue or another psychological condition, such as anxiety or depression. If you suspect that you may have a Binge Eating Disorder, it is important to reach out for help from a trained mental health professional. Remember, this is a treatable condition, and you deserve to feel better. 

In this article, we will discuss the symptoms, causes, and treatments for Binge Eating Disorder. 

Signs And Symptoms of Binge Eating Disorder? 

Binge Eating Disorder is an eating disorder in which a person consumes a large amount of food in a short period of time, even if they aren’t hungry. This may be triggered by an intense emotional reaction or past trauma. The person may experience short-term gratification while binge eating but might experience shame, regret, or loss of control after eating. Like other eating disorders, it’s more common in women than men.

The binge eating disorder symptoms are as follows: 

• Eating more rapidly than normal 

• Eating until extremely full

• Eating large amounts of food even when not hungry 

• Eating alone and avoiding eating around people due to feelings of shame and guilt

• Eating in secret

• Feeling intense bouts of disgust and shame 

• A lack of control over the ability to stop eating 

• Feelings of low self-esteem 

In order to diagnose you with BED, your psychiatrist may ask you about your eating habits, your feelings about them, and your medical history. To be diagnosed, a person must have had at least one binge-eating episode per week for a minimum of three months. The severity of BED ranges from mild, which is characterised by 1 to 3 binge-eating episodes per week, to extreme, which is characterised by 14 or more episodes per week. 

Causes of Binge Eating Disorder? 

The causes of Binge Eating Disorder are not clearly understood, as it may occur due to a variety of different factors. Here are a few.

Genetics: If your parents or siblings have (or have had) eating disorders, one is much more likely to develop one as well. This may indicate that inherited genes increase the risk of developing an eating disorder.

Emotional trauma: Abuse, separation from a family member, and car accidents are common events that trigger psychological trauma and are known risk factors. Childhood bullying due to weight may also contribute to developing BED later in life. 

Other psychological issues: People who are depressed, have anxiety or have other mental health conditions are more likely to develop BED.  Almost 80% of people with BED have at least one other underlying psychological disorder, such as phobias, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), bipolar disorder, anxiety, or substance abuse. 

How to Overcome Binge Eating Disorder

The first step to overcoming BED is to reach out to a mental health professional such as a therapist or a psychiatrist who can give you a proper diagnosis. They can also help you determine the severity of the disorder and give you a proper treatment plan that can help you feel better. 

Binge eating disorder treatment plan usually include:

CBT or Cognitive Behavioural Therapy: It usually focuses on identifying the negative feelings and behaviours that may be causing binge eating. It also helps you put strategies in place to work on them. It is the most effective treatment for binge eating disorder and can be done with a trained therapist.

Interpersonal Therapy: This therapy views binge eating as a coping mechanism for underlying emotional problems. This treatment addresses binge-eating behaviours by recognising and treating those underlying issues.

DBT or Dialectical Behavioural Therapy: DBT sees binge eating as a response to negative experiences in daily life. To stop binge eating, it teaches people how to regulate their emotions and use mindfulness techniques to cope.

Medication: Medication for BED is usually prescribed as a supplementary treatment to behavioural therapy. Research has found that medication has an advantage over a placebo for the short-term reduction of binge eating. Medication has been shown to be 48.7% effective, while placebos have been shown to be 28.5% effective. You may also be treated for any underlying psychological conditions such as depression or anxiety with medication. 

There is no one treatment that works for everyone—your treatment care plan will be tailored to your unique needs by your psychiatrist or therapist. So, don’t get discouraged if one treatment doesn’t work for you. Have an honest conversation with your mental health professional to find the one that works for you. 

Bottom line 

Binge Eating Disorder can affect your life adversely and lower your self-confidence, but it is important to remember that it is highly treatable with positive outcomes. The first step is to reach out for help. We are here for you.